11 May 2021

American Rescue Plan Act – Section 603

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The American Rescue Plan Act § 602 provides a total of $350 billion to eligible states, territories, and tribal governments. Funds are available until 2024 and are to be used for “necessary investments” in “water, sewer, broadband infrastructure.”

Of that $350 billion, the total allocated to Missouri is $5.475 billion (combining the allocations at the state level and allocations to cities, counties, and non-county jurisdictions). For guidance, refer to the issue-specific toolkits developed by Missouri state agencies for local governments to use in considering investments for their communities with American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) local fiscal recovery funding.

See the most recent FAQs provided by U.S. Treasury for more information.

The American Rescue Plan Act § 603 provides a total of $130.2 billion directly for broadband infrastructure for eligible municipalities and counties. Funds are available until December 2024. Funds must be used to make “necessary investments” in “water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.”

11 May 2021

Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS)

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Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) Program provides $2.75 billion for non-public schools to address distance learning. Under the EANS program, the Department will award grants by formula to each governor with an approved Certification and Agreement to provide services or assistance to eligible non-public schools to address the impact that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had, and continues to have, on non-public school students and teachers in the State.  Eligible schools must have a required percentage of low-income students.

For more information on the EANS programs, see https://oese.ed.gov/offices/ and the webinar from Kajeet. The deadline for governors to apply was September 9, 2021.

11 May 2021

Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF)

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The Emergency Connectivity Fund Program reimburses schools and libraries for the reasonable costs of eligible equipment and broadband connections used to help students, staff, and patrons who otherwise lack access to be able to engage in remote learning.

The program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company, with oversight from and under rules unanimously adopted by the Federal Communications Commission.

A third round of funding closed on May 13, 2022.

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11 May 2021

COVID-19 Telehealth Program

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The COVID-19 Telehealth Program can be used to fund rural telehealth. Formally adopted by the FCC on March 30, 2021, Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program established a $249.95 million federal initiative to help health care providers provide connected care services to patients at their homes or mobile locations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Telehealth Program provides immediate support to eligible health care providers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by fully funding their telecommunications services, information services, and devices necessary to provide critical connected care services.

Applications closed May 6, 2021.

11 May 2021

Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

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The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program, which will direct $268 million for expanding broadband access and connectivity to eligible Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs), minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and consortia led by an HBCU, TCU, or MSI that also include a minority business enterprise or tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

For more information, please see https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/ for updates. Applications closed December 1, 2021. See the first round of awardees here.

11 May 2021

Community Connect Grants

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Community Connect Grants offers funding to eligible applicants that will construct broadband networks that provide service on a community-oriented connectivity basis in rural areas. Specifically, funds will be used for the construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land or buildings used to deploy broadband service for residential and business, and essential community facilities (such as public schools, fire stations, public libraries, and public safety stations). Up to 10 percent of the grant may be used for the improvement, expansion, construction, or acquisition of a community center that provides online access to the public.

More information is available here. Applications closed December 23, 2020.

11 May 2021

The Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program

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NTIA’s Broadband Infrastructure Program was established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. In the priority order defined by the Act, NTIA will accept applications for projects that are designed to:

  1. Provide broadband service to the greatest number of households in an eligible service area;
  2. Provide broadband service in an eligible service area that is wholly within any area other than a county, city, or town with more than 50,000 inhabitants and the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town of more than 50,000 inhabitants;
  3. Be the most cost-effective, prioritizing such projects in areas that are the most rural;
  4. Provide broadband service with a download speed of at least 100 Mbps and an upload speed of at least 20 Mbps;
  5. Meet the requirements of this NOFO.

More information about the program, including requirements for grant applications, can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Applications closed on August 17, 2021. Due to the high number of applications, NTIA established these guidelines for review.

4 May 2021

PCs for People KC- Purchase a Computer Program

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PCs for People KC (formerly Connecting For Good) provides internet access, computers, digital skills training and community partnerships to help low- and moderate-income communities open minds and opportunities for a better future.

Desktops start at $50, and laptops start at $100. This comes with a one-year warranty on hardware after purchase. They also have additional features available for purchase such as Microsoft Office and a Wi-Fi adapter for wireless internet service.

4 May 2021

Allen P. and Josephine B. Green Foundation, Inc.

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The Allen P. and Josephine B. Green Foundation is a private foundation with approximately $11 million in assets.  The mission of the Foundation can be summed up as “Improving the quality of life in Missouri.” The Foundation accepts grant applications from publicly and privately supported, non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations whose objectives and programs generally fit within the mission of the Foundation. The Foundation’s Board of Directors consists of 11 members who meet twice a year to award grants and conduct other business essential to the Foundation.

4 May 2021

Project 10Million

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Project 10Million is an initiative of T-Mobile aimed at delivering internet connectivity to millions of underserved student households at no cost to them. Partnering with school districts across the country, the program offers free high-speed data and free mobile hotspots—and access to at-cost laptops and tablets.